The May Garland Inn

The room was the major disappointment. It was dirty, with marks on the carpets, walls and bedsheets, and the entrance was cluttered with chairs and a mattress. The gate and garden used to get in after hours were full of rubble and buckets of used cigarette butts. Worst of all was the strong, pungent smell. The staff were sympathetic when we raised it, but the landlord was extremely rude and nearly aggressive. We left less than two hours after arriving because the smell was unbearable. The pub staff had otherwise been friendly and helpful, and the steak sandwich was excellent.

We stopped for a mid-afternoon drink on a Tuesday, so it was quiet as expected. I asked for the tonic to be served separately from the gin, but it was poured in anyway and I had to ask for a replacement. Otherwise, it was pleasant and felt like a proper pub, with little nooks and clean, serviced toilets. It looks nice from outside and is well placed for a drink and something to eat on the way home from a day out.

We really enjoyed our two-night stay. The staff were courteous, attentive, and keen to make sure things met our expectations. We had dinner at the Inn both evenings, one from an authentic mobile pizza van and the other in the restaurant, where the freshly cooked meal used local produce. I can thoroughly recommend it for a comfortable, relaxing stay. Well done, and thank you all.

Don't let the slightly tired exterior put you off. Inside there's a well-stocked bar with real ales, and a wide food choice that's very well prepared. The homemade burgers are good, and they also have some nice Asian dishes. I really enjoyed the beef rangdang.